Syrian, Turkish premiers meet with businessmen and investors

Syria's Prime Minister Naji Otari on Wednesday asserted that common ties between Syria and Turkey in various fields constitute a drive for enhancing cooperation and rapprochement between them.

In the presence of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Otari told a meeting of Syrian and Turkish businessmen and investors that Syria under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad gives special priority to developing cooperation with Turkey and boosting ties between public and private sectors in both countries.

The premier briefed the businessmen and investors on the lucrative, encouraging climate of investment in Syria and on the facilities given to them, particularly the Law No. 10 for investment.

He called on Turkish businessmen and investors to build joint projects with their Syrian counterparts to benefit from the country's local and Arab markets.

For his part, Erdogan highly appreciated the Syrian people, stressing that political and economic ties between the two countries have been witnessing constant progress thanks to the historical visit paid by President Bashar al-Assad to Turkey early this year and to the important role played by businessmen from both countries.

He called for further development of relations and removal of all obstacles that could stop in the way of enhancing bilateral relations in all fields in light of historical and religious links that bind Syria and Turkey.

Erdogan pointed out to the importance and status of Syria, adding that his government exerts great efforts to help establish security and stability in the region.

He said the agreements signed with Syria today lay sound ground for the development of trade ties, asserting his government's desire to raise the volume of trade exchange with Syria to $ 2 billion over the next stage to make Turkey the number one partner for Syria.

Several Syrian and Turkish businessmen and investors also talked about the need to further boost the bilateral economic and trade relations for the benefits of both peoples and countries.